A former Catholic priest accused of sexually abusing and physically assaulting children in Perth over a 25-year period has pleaded not guilty to 16 charges.

Patrick Holmes, 83, is accused of abusing children as young as six between 1969 and 1992 when he was a priest in Shenton Park and Carlisle.

He appeared in Perth Magistrates Court on Tuesday where two unlawful assault charges were adjourned until June 10 and 14 other charges, including indecent dealing, were committed to the WA District Court on February 1.